service stripe

noun

, Military.

1. a stripe worn on the left sleeve by an enlisted person to indicate a specific period of time served on active duty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of service stripe¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

He saw the service stripes and the two medals on the breast, and his eyes brightened.

From Project Gutenberg

He’d have a grosbeak ‘skun a mile’!” gasped Stud, following the direction of her glance, with a virtuous consciousness of his own cave-soiled khaki, moderately lit by merit badge and service stripe.

From Project Gutenberg

“No,” he replied gratefully, “it’s a service stripe.”

From Project Gutenberg

About the mascot's chest the Wildcat adjusted the O.D. shirt with its three service stripes.

From Project Gutenberg

Mother wailed that all the deck-chairs had been taken; Father found mountains of chairs and flipped a couple of them open as though he were a steward with service stripes.

From Project Gutenberg